Fluid dispenser



Oct. 7, 1952 G. F. KRAUS 2,613,108

FLUID DISPENSER Filed April 1, 1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET 1 INVENTOR.

Georg E Kra us Ah 4% vq ATTORNEYS.

G. F. KRAUS FLUID DISPENSER Oct. 7,1952

Filed April 1, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 FIG.8

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' George F Kruus M. a @wq I ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 7, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- FLUID DISPENSERGeorge F. Kraus, Camden, N. J.

Application April 1, 1949, Serial No. 85,091 (01. 299-25) 6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in means for the periodic andautomatic dispensing of fluids.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a relativelysimple and compact mechanism for the automatic and periodic dispensingof fluids such as deodorants, air purifying agents, germicides,antiseptics, insecticides, etc.

A further object of thisinvention is the provision of improved means forthe automatic dispensing of fluids which are normally maintained undersuperatmospheric pressure.

A further object of this invention isthe provision of improved means,adapted for use in laboratories, store rooms, theaters, auditoriums,restaurants, hospitals, transportation vehicles, hotels, etc., for theperiodic dispensing of deodorants and air purifying and cleansing agentsfrom automatic pressure type dispensers wherein the active fluid ismaintained under superatmospheric pressure by means of a liquefied gas.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andwherein similar reference characters designate corresponding partsthruout-the several views-- Figure 1 is a front elevation of theimproved device.

- Figure 2 is a rear view of the device with the rear cover removed.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on theline 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing 'the gear train of aspeed reduction mechanism associated with the improved device.

Figurev 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially onthe line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 ofFigure 3 showing the actuating mechanism.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary vertical-cross sectional view taken thru thespeed reduction and other clockwork operated mechanism of the device.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view showing a modifled formof operatingmechanism.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional View showing the means foractuating the valve mechanism of a fluid pressure dispenser of the oper-"ating mechanism of Fig. 8.

' In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of designate the improveddevice. It consists of a framework or casing structure B, adapted tosupport a pressure type fluid dispenser C. The framework or casingstructure B also supports a clockwork mechanism D having means Eassociated therewith for operating the valve mechanism of the pressuredispenser C.

Referring to the dispensing receptacle C, the same includes a containerbody 20 of cylindrical form having a bottom wall 21 and a preferablyreduced neck 22 which supports a valve mechanism (not shown) ordinarilyoperated by means of a laterally movable stem 23. One such type ofreceptacle is shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,892,750.

The receptacle is adapted to contain some solution of material to beatomized. It is hermetically sealed and the solution is maintained undersuperatmospheric pressure by means of a liquefied gas under pressure notless than the liquefaction pressure of the gas used. Upon tilting of thestem 23 the nozzle and valve mechanism (not shown) are actuated torelease pressure so that the solution of material, Which may be adeodorant, air purifying agent, germicide. antiseptic, etc. is dispensedin an atomized condition.

The frame or casing structure B is provided with top and bottom walls 24and 25, and side walls 25. The front wall 2! has an opening 23 cut tothe contour or outline of the container C, just sufficient to permit asegment of the con tainer to rest therein with its bottom wall 2| uponthe resting surface of the opening 28 and the reduced neck 22 seated at30 in said opening. Thus the major portion of the dispensing receptacleand particularly the valve are in the clear so that the atomized fluidmay be dispensed externally of the casing. The container C is supportedin this position by means of a flexible band or loop 3%, shown best inFigure 5; the same being secured at 32 at one end and adapted to loopabout the neck: 22 of the container C; the free end thereof beingprovided with an opening adapted to receive a'threaded shank 34 uponwhich a detachable nut 35 operates. Turning the nut 35 will permit thecontainer to be clamped in position by the band 3! or released, as isquite obvious. I

The clockwork mechanism D preferably compr1ses a frame structureconsisting of front, intermediate and rear plates or discs 46, 4| and42,

of circular form, detachably connected in relatively spaced relation bybolt and nut means 42*. Thls framework is detachably connected by nuts44 to a supporting plate or disc 45 which is detachably screwed orconnected at 41 within the compartment of the casing B, so that theentire clockwork mechanism D may be disposed in said compartment, asshown in Figure 3. A detachable rear closure 50 is provided for closingthe compartment.

The clockwork mechanism D furthermore includes an electric motor 55detachably mounted upon thev rear surface of the rear plate as shown inFigure 7 of the drawings, and elsewhere. The motor 55 is provided with ashaft 56 having a pinion 51 keyed thereon lying between the frame plates4| and 42. This pinion meshes with a larger gear 58 which is keyed upona shaft 59 bearing upon and between the plates 4| and 42. To the shaft59 is keyed a, pinion 60 whichmeshes with a larger gear 6| keyed upon ashaft 62 supported upon the plate 42, as shownin Figure 9. The shaft 62has-a pinion 04 keyed therewith which meshes with a larger gear 65 keyedupon a shaft 6'! which bears-at one endupon the plate 42- and atits.opposite end has a step bearing in a rotatable shaft 68 to besubsequently described; the latter bearing in the frame plates ordiscs-40 and GI, as shown in Figure 7. Further gear reduction for theclockwork mechanism comprises av pinion l keyed upon the shaft 61 inmesh with a larger gear II keyed upon a shaft 'lfl which bears upon andbetween the plates All and 4:2.- The shaft I2 also has a pinion I4-keyed therewith: which meshes with a larger speed reducing gear 75 keyedupon that portion of the shaft 68 which lies between the plates 4| and42.

Referring at this time to the mechanism E for actuating the valve stem23 of the dispensing receptacle, the. same comprises a, shaft 80rotatably bearing upon the frame structure B, preferably in the frontwall 21' thereof, as shown in Figure 3. This shaft 80 is horizontallypositioned and may also hear in the rear closure 50, as shown. Itprojects forwardly from the wall 21 and is provided with a, crank arm 82adapted to engage and tilt the valve stem 23, for the purpose ofactuating the valve of the dispensing container for atomizing release ofthe fluid to be dispensed. Within the compartment of the easingB-thereis provided a depending arm 85 keyed uponthe shaft 80 which is adaptedto be engaged by the trip lever 90 of the clockwork mechanism. The triplever. 90, as is shown in various views of the-drawings, is pivoted at0| (Fig. 6) upon a shaft" which is supported by the plates 40 and 0| ofthe clockwork frame.

The clockwork-shaft 60 which is driven at a very slow rate of speed thruthe gear reduction mechanism above described has a hub I00 keyedtherewith to which the inner end of a spiral spring I-Ill iskeyed orwelded at I02. The spiral spring IOI at its opposite end is keyed orwelded at I03 to a trip lever actuating arm or lug I05 whichv is fixedlyconnected upon a disc I06 form'- ing part of a nut I01 threaded upon thethreaded portion I 08' of shaft 68-.

The trip lever actuating lug or arm I05 is nor- .mal-lyurged by the leafspring IIlI in a direction to actuate the trip lever 90, so the latterwillmove against the shaft operating arm 85 and throw the crank -82 intooperation for tripping the stem 23' and actuating the valve mechanism ofthe atomizing container.

The normal. action of the spring |0I is restrained by a detent springarm IIO which is fixedly secured at III upon the frame disc 4|. A.timingadjustmentscrew 2: may be provided,

4 in threaded relation upon the disc 4| for moving the inner end of thedetent I|0 along the trip lever actuating lug I05, so the latter may becontrolled as to its releasing action according to the periodicity withwhich it is desired to release the fluid from the pressure container.

The sequence of operation is as follows:

Thru the gearing and shafting above described the shaft 08 is rotated inthe direction indicated by the arrow in Figure '7. The turning of theshaft is very slow and as it rotates it winds up the leaf spring IUI forstoring up power therein. Of course the outer end of the spring isrestrained from moving by engagement of the trip lever actuating leverarm I05 against the detent I"). As the'shaf-t 68 slowly rotates the nutI01 will be fed along the. shaft in the direction of the frame plate 40and this moves the trip lever actuating. arm I05 in a direction awayfrom the detent I In. When the tip end of the lug I05 has cleared thedetent III] the spring IOI, which is secured to'the lug I05, will throwthe'latter in-the direction of the trip lever 90 and engaging the triplever will throw thelatter against thearm 85. The shaft ticis turned,and the crank 82.thr.own against the stem- 23 for releasingv the valveand dispensing the pressure fluid from thecontainer. The nut I01rotatesupon the threaded portion of the shaft 08 incident to action ofthe spring IOI and will move along the threaded portion I03 in thedirection of the-spring IIJI. This will bring the lug I05 again intoposition-for engaging thedetent I I0. The cycle, of course, is repeatedaccording to the gearing setup. The timing may be varied thru theadjustment screw II 2 since thev spring end of the detent arm 0 may bemoved along the lug. or arm |Il5 to vary the. dispensing period.

In Figures 8 andv 9 is shown another form of invention. In this form ofinvention the dispensing container C is provided with a. depressibleball 23 which causes the fluid to be dispensed from the pressurecontainer. To that end the shaft is provided with a crank 82 having aroller 82 on the end thereof normally urged against and in' thedirection of the ball 23 by means of a spring 82 which is attached tothe shaft arm 85 as shown in Figure8. The trip lever and operatingmechanism are the same as above described. When the trip lever 00 movesto throw over the arm 85- against the. tension of the spring 82, theshaft 80 will be rotated to throw the roller 82" across the'ball 23 anddepress the same to cause the pressure fluid to be dispensed from thecontainer C. Of course the spring 82 returns the roller 82 to a resetposition.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be madeto the form of the invention herein shown and described withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the followingclaims.

Iclaim:

1. In an automatic dispensing. device thecombination of a supportingframe, clockwork mechanism supported by said frame including gearreduction mechanism and a shaft slowly driven thereby, said shafthaving-a screw threaded portion, a nut threaded upon said shaft formovement therealong as the shaft rotates, a spring normally rotatablyurging said nut to rotate in one direction upon said shaft, a'fluiddispenser carried by said frame havingv a fluid releasing member,movable means carried by the frame to operate said member, said. nuthaving. means associated therewith to engage and operate the movablemeans upon rotation of the nut by said spring, and detent means torestrain rotation of the nut until said shaft has been turned to apredetermined extent ,suflicient to feed the nut along the screwthreaded portion of the shaft out of the path of said detent means.

2. In a device for dispensing fluids under pressure the combination of asupporting casing, a dispensing container carried by the casing having afluid therein under superatmospheric pressure and valve means includingan actuating member movably supported by the container, means todetachably support said container upon said casing, means mounted uponthe container for actuating said valve actuating member, and clockworkactuated means mounted upon the easing for actuating the last mentionedmeans periodically.

3. In a dispenser for period release of fluids, the combination of asupporting frame, a trip lever movably mounted upon said frame,clockwork mechanism carried by the frame, a shaft, gear reductionmechanism actuated by the clockwork mechanism to rotate the shaft at aslow rate of speed, said shaft having a screw threaded portion thereon,a nut threaded upon the threaded portion of the shaft for movementtherealong, a spiral spring keyed at one end to the shaft, means keyingthe other end of the spring with the nut so that as the shaft rotatesthe spring will be wound for the purpose of storlng power therein,detent means carried by the frame, and means carried by the nutassociated with the detent means to restrain said rotation of the nutunder influence of the spring until the nut has moved a predetermineddistance along the threaded shaft as an incident of rotation of theshaft, said nut having means thereon to actuate said trip lever when thelast mentioned means as an incident of movement of the nut along theshaft has moved out of the 6 spring with the nut so that as the shaftrotates the spring will be wound for the purpose of storing powertherein, detent means carried by the frame, and means carried by the nutassociated with the detent means to restrain said rotation of the nutunder influence of the spring until the nut has moved a predetermineddistance along the threaded shaft as an incident of rotation of theshaft, said nut having means thereon to actuate said trip lever when thelast mentioned means as an incident of movement of the nut along theshaft has moved out of the path of path of the detent means, and meansmounted upon the frame having a fluid under pressure therein including avalve in position to be periodically operated by said trip lever torelease said fluid.

4. Ina dispenser for period release of fluids, the combination of asupporting frame, a trip lever movably mounted upon said frame,clockwork mechanism carried by the frame, a shaft, gear redactionmechanism actuated by the clockwork mechanism to rotate the shaft at aslow rate of speed, said shaft having a screw threaded portion thereon,a nut threaded upon the threaded portion of the shaft for movementtherealong, a spiral spring keyed at one end to the shaft, means keyingthe other end of the the detent means, the spring actuating to rotatethe nut upon the shaft and return the nut to a reset position of themeans carried by the nut with respect to the detent means, and meansmounted upon the frame having a fluid under pressure therein including avalve in position to be periodically operated by said trip lever torelease said fluid.

5. In a dispensing device the combination of a supporting frame, acontainer having a sanitizing fluid hermetically sealed therein inassociation with a liquefied gas under pressure suflicient to maintainthe gas liquefied until released from the container, valve means uponthe container, means for supporting the container upon the supportingframe, and clockwork means carried by the frame to periodically actuatesaid valve for pressure release of said sanitizing fluid as gaseousvapor from the container.

6. In a dispensing device the combination of a supporting frame, acontainer having a sanitizing fluid hermetically sealed therein inassociation with a liquefied gas under pressure sufficient to maintainthe gas liquefied until released from the container, valve means uponthe container, means for supporting the container upon the supportingframe, clockwork means carried by the frame to periodically actuate saidvalve for pressure release of said sanitizing fluid as gaseous vaporfrom the container, and means for varying the period during which theclockwork mechanism actuates said valve.

GEORGE F. KRAUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 324,612 Thickins Aug. 18, 1885441,078 Upward Nov. 18, 1890 1,460,486 Harvey July 3, 1923 2,145,082Grayson Jan. 24, 1939 2,252,125 Hauser Aug. 12, 1941 2,534,464 Marini eta1. Dec. 19, 1950

